Inserting line objects

You can use the line objects to draw lines, arrows, double arrows, polylines or multiple polylines in your visual project.

About this task

To insert a line, arrow, double arrow, polyline or multiple polyline object into your visual project:

Procedure

  1. In the editor window, select the visual report page or visual dashboard scene to which you want to add the object. If the page or scene is not open in the editor, then double-click the page or scene in the Project Explorer.
  2. From the Palette view, select one of the following line objects:
    • Line: You use this object to draw a single line. Select the Line object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), drag the cursor to the point where you want the line to end, and release the mouse button. The line is drawn.
    • Arrow: You use this object to draw a single line with an arrowhead on the starting point. The Arrow object is actually a Line object with different default property values. It is drawn the same way a Line object is drawn.
    • Double Arrow: You use this object to draw a single line with an arrowhead on the starting point and ending point. The Double Arrow object is actually a Line object with different default property values. It is drawn the same way a Line object is drawn.
    • Polyline: You use this object to draw multiple lines that are connected at the end of each line. Select the Polyline object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), move the cursor to the point where you want the first line to end, click the mouse button, move the cursor to the point where you want the second line to end, click the mouse button, continue until all lines are drawn. When you have finished drawing all the lines, hit the Esc (Escape) key. The cursor returns to an arrow (selection mode). All of the lines in the Polyline object are drawn.
    • Multiple Polyline: You use this object to draw multiple polylines. Select the Multiple Polyline object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode). Draw your first polyline and hit the Esc key. The cursor remains in the drawing mode. Draw your second polyline. Hit the Esc key. The cursor returns to an arrow (selection mode). Both polylines are drawn and are considered a single Multiple Polyline object.
  3. From the Properties view, modify the properties, such as color, width, and style to draw your line as you want. There are many properties that you can specify that will dictate the appearance of the line object or specify how the line object will behave on the visual report page or visual dashboard scene. There are several ways to specify property values for the line objects. You can select values that are listed in the Properties view, type values directly in Properties view, use the Expression Designer, or use the Variables toolbar.
  4. For visual dashboards, you can define an event action for the line object. This means that when a user performs a certain action on the object such as a mouse click, an event such as a jump to a scene will occur.